Hands-on learning and distance learning are not opposites, but making them work together takes materials in the right places and someone to run the session. RAFT built four things for that.
Virtual professional development
Sessions that practice making and problem-solving with RAFT STEAM Kits, then show how to run the same thing in your own virtual lessons. See the workshops page for formats.
Student engineering challenges
RAFT staff can facilitate live or asynchronous engineering challenges for students, using household materials or materials RAFT supplies. It engages a learning community in hands-on work without adding to the teaching load. Student design solutions get showcased on RAFT’s social channels.
Educator planning
Support for building lessons aligned to a distance learning curriculum, for use in class or at home. That includes thought partnership, sourcing materials, and packaging and shipping or delivering them to your site.
STEAM Kits, individually packaged
The kits take the guesswork out of lesson planning: required materials, assembly instructions and suggested activities in each one. RAFT partners with schools to supply individually packaged kits along with educator training on using them well, shipped or delivered.
To talk it through, email the education team at education@raft.net.